Latest news with #WorstCooks
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Anne Burrell's last ‘Worst Cooks' season set to air after her sudden passing, honouring star chef's unforgettable legacy
In a tragic twist that no one saw coming, Food Network favourite Anne Burrell passed away suddenly at the age of 55, just hours after delivering a stand-up comedy routine, her first public performance with her improv class. Now, fans will have the chance to see her on-screen one final time, as her last season of Worst Cooks in America is set to air later this month. Worst Cooks in America: Talented and Terrible will premiere on Monday, July 28 at 9:00 p.m. ET on Food Network, with episodes available to stream the following day on HBO Max. A season that showcases Anne's signature wit Unlike previous seasons, this one flips the show's original format by bringing in participants who are used to performing, but certainly not in the kitchen. Think actors, dancers, stage performers, and even comedians, all stepping into Anne's culinary boot camp with zero kitchen skills and a lot of flair. Joining Anne this season is chef Gabe Bertaccini, who will co-mentor the new recruits. The series opens with contestants whipping up their 'signature showstopper dish' before facing the iconic 'winner winner chicken dinner' challenge. Only the best of the worst will survive elimination and move forward to learn everything from restaurant staples to global cuisines, even tackling the legendary Remote Control Chef challenge. Honouring Anne Burrell's legacy Leading up to the new season, Food Network has been airing selected episodes of Worst Cooks to honour Anne's impact. According to Betsy Ayala, Head of Content for Food at Warner Bros. Discovery, these special episodes were chosen to celebrate Anne's unique talent as a chef, competitor and teacher. Her recent foray into stand-up comedy was something she had shared excitedly on Instagram. Just days before her death, Anne invited fans to her improv class performance at Second City in Brooklyn, calling the experience an 'absolute blast.' Saying goodbye, one episode at a time Anne Burrell's final season is more than just a television show, it is a farewell letter written in food, laughter, and fiery determination. As the kitchen lights go up one last time, fans will witness the brilliance that made Anne an unforgettable star, on and off the stove.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Anne Burrell's shocking death probed as possible drug overdose, autopsy results awaited
The culinary world has been shaken by the sudden and heartbreaking death of celebrity chef Anne Burrell, who was found lifeless in her Brooklyn apartment last week. Known for her fierce attitude and iconic spiked hair, the 55-year-old Food Network favourite was reportedly discovered unresponsive in her shower, surrounded by nearly 100 assorted pills, raising suspicions of a possible drug overdose. Anne Burrell's death According to a report obtained by The New York Times, Burrell's death is being treated as 'unconscious and unresponsive, surrounded by numerous pills,' although official confirmation on her cause of death remains on hold. The New York City Medical Examiner has completed an autopsy, but is yet to release findings, citing the need for toxicology results. Authorities were alerted by a concerned individual via a 911 call around 8 a.m., prompting police to enter the residence, where they reportedly found the chef unresponsive. The report also indicates a potential cardiac arrest, although it remains unclear whether it was the cause or a consequence of the suspected overdose. Who is Anne Burrell? Burrell rose to fame as the no-nonsense host of Worst Cooks in America, guiding kitchen disasters through culinary boot camps. Her television career began beside Mario Batali on Iron Chef America, and she quickly earned a name for her bold teaching style and magnetic screen presence. In January, she mysteriously exited her signature show, and when fans pressed her about the change on Instagram, she candidly responded that she honestly did not know why. Tributes have poured in from across the culinary world. Her family described her as a 'beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend,' adding that her light and warmth reached far beyond her personal circle. 'Her spirit and boundless love remain eternal,' they said in a statement. Chef Bobby Flay also paid a heartfelt tribute, crediting Anne for introducing him to Maine Coon cats, especially his own pet Nacho, calling it a lifelong gift. As her final season of Worst Cooks is queued for release, fans are left with a bittersweet farewell, grappling with the loss of a television icon whose legacy was anything but bland.
Chicago Tribune
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Anne Burrell's death under investigation as a possible drug overdose
The New York City Police Department is investigating the death of Anne Burrell, the popular Food Network star who was found dead in her Brooklyn home on Tuesday morning, as a possible drug overdose, according to an internal document viewed by The New York Times. The document said Burrell, who was 55, had been 'discovered in the shower unconscious and unresponsive surrounded by approximately (100) assorted pills.' Emergency medical workers who responded to a 911 call pronounced her dead at the scene. A spokesperson for the city medical examiner's office said Friday that an autopsy had been completed, but that any findings on the cause and manner of Burrell's death were still pending. Burrell was an accomplished Italian chef who began her television career as a sous-chef to celebrity chef Mario Batali on the Food Network show 'Iron Chef America.' She was best known for hosting 'Worst Cooks in America,' which has run for 28 seasons. With her plume of platinum-blond hair, signature mismatched socks and a way of teaching that included a big helping of unvarnished truth, she became a mainstay for the network, appearing as a guest or judge on several other shows and even once riding on the network's float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. In January, fans were surprised to see that Burrell was not hosting the new season of 'Worst Cooks.' Neither she nor the network has explained the change. An indication of a possible conflict came in a Jan. 10 Instagram post when someone asked her why she wasn't on the show and Burrell answered, 'Honestly I don't know.' The night before she died, Burrell had embarked on a new passion: improv. She performed for the first time at Second City New York in Brooklyn after taking classes at the venue's training center. Friends and her food television colleagues said she had also talked about undertaking some new projects. Chef Andrew Zimmern was with her a few months ago for a food festival in Puerto Rico. 'She definitely had something cooking,' he said. 'She was excited about whatever it was she was working on.' On Friday, he delivered a tearful tribute to Burrell at the Aspen Food & Wine Festival, where top names in food media, including Padma Lakshmi, Kristen Kish and Food Network star Tyler Florence, have gathered for the weekend. Zimmern called her a 'brash, bold, loud New Yorker' with 'a tremendous capacity for love.' A week ago, she showed up at a special event that chef Elizabeth Falkner hosted at the Soho House in Manhattan. The two had been fierce competitors on 'The Next Iron Chef' in 2011, and had lost touch but had recently started texting more, Falkner said. 'It was so fun to see her. She seemed really content, like there was a warmer side coming out,' Falkner said. 'She hung out all night. When she was leaving she goes, 'I am so glad we have reconnected. I want to be a better friend.'' This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Anne Burrell's death: Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence pen heartfelt tributes for the Food Network star
Anne Burrell, the vibrant and fiery television chef known for her long-standing role on Food Network, passed away at the age of 55. Her sudden death on June 17 at her New York residence has left the culinary world in mourning. Tributes pour in for Anne Burrell, remembered for her humor and passion for cooking. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)(Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) Also Read: Why are Target stores staff sharing early-morning shelf label photos on social media? 'I feel bad doing all these…' Tributes have poured in from across the industry. Chef Bobby Flay, her close friend and co-host on multiple shows, paid tribute to the Worst Cooks in America host on social media, calling her 'unforgettable.' Sharing a photograph of Burrell with her beloved Maine Coon cats, Flay wrote on his Instagram Story, ''Worst Cooks in America' was the funnest show on TV," as per USA Today. The Story disappeared after 24 hours. "All of your co-hosts (me included) were just alongside for the Anne Burrell ride… The greatest gift I got from AB was turning me on to a world of Maine Coon Cats (including Nacho)... a gift that I'll have forever," he added. He ended the post with the hashtag #unforgettable. Chef Tyler Florence, who worked alongside Burrell on Worst Cooks, described her as someone with ' sincere kindness' and a 'razor wit.' Chef Carla Hall wrote on Instagram that she 'absolutely loved' working with Burrell. Burrell's energy, humor and fierce love for cooking are being remembered by colleagues and fans alike as news of her death continues to send shockwaves through the food community. Also read: Remembering Anne Burrell: Five must-try recipes from the Food Network star Burrell left a legacy behind her Burrell, originally from New York, became a Food Network fixture in 2005 when she appeared as a sous chef on Iron Chef America. Over the years, she hosted several shows, including Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, but it was Worst Cooks in America that truly made her a household name. She had led the show since 2010, known for her sharp wit, tough-love coaching, and signature spiky blonde hair. Her influence extended far beyond television. Anne Burrell was known in culinary circles for her dedication to teaching, her larger-than-life personality, and her belief in food as a source of joy and connection. The Food Network confirmed Burrell's passing in a press statement but did not provide a cause of death. Authorities have not released additional details regarding the circumstances of her death. FAQs What was the cause of chef Anne Burrell's death? Anne Burrell died on June 17, 2025, at her home in New York. Her cause of death has not been disclosed by her family or the authorities. How did Anne Burrell lose so much weight? Anne Burrell previously spoke about focusing on healthier eating habits and staying active. She credited her weight loss to a more balanced lifestyle but did not share specifics publicly in recent years. What did Bobby Flay say about Anne Burrell's death? Bobby Flay shared an emotional tribute on Instagram. He ended the message with the hashtag #unforgettable.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Anne Burrell Shared Possible New Career Plans After Stepping Back from 'Worst Cooks' Shortly Before Death
Anne Burrell appeared on the March 13 episode of Tori Spelling's misSPELLING podcast Burrell said she felt she had "more to do" in her life beyond her culinary and TV careers The late chef shared that she had begun taking an improv class and was "excited" about the experienceAnne Burrell was exploring new creative paths shortly before her sudden death. In a March 13 episode of Tori Spelling's misSPELLING podcast, the celebrity chef addressed stepping away from her longtime Food Network gig as a mentor on Worst Cooks in America. 'I can cook, yes, I can do TV, but also, what else? I've got more to do in my life, I feel like,' she told Spelling. 'Interestingly, I just started taking acting classes," Burrell shared. "It's like, an improv for actors class. I got there and it's like, eight people in the class. I'm the oldest one. Every other person is like, 'Oh, I have a master's in fine arts in theater.' ' Spelling was encouraging, even as Burrell voiced her doubts, admitting that she was "just dipping my toe" into the artistic outlet but felt "very excited" about the experience. 'I'm like, 'Okay, I've never taken an acting class. I don't know, this is new to me.' I wonder if these delightful and super-talented kids look at me and they're like, 'What's this old lady doing here?'' she said with a laugh. Burrell got her start on Food Network as Mario Batali's sous chef on Iron Chef. She appeared on many other programs on the network, but was a mainstay on Worst Cooks. The New York native served as a mentor on the cooking competition show for 27 seasons, from 2010 to 2024. Each season, Burrell mentored the Blue Team, while another famous chef — names like Bobby Flay, Rachael Ray, Tyler Florence, Alex Guarnaschelli and more— captained the opposing Red Team. The goal was to put their group of "worst cooks in America" through culinary boot camp, with one team ultimately winning the final challenge: cooking a restaurant-quality, three-course meal for three professional food critics. Burrell's team won 15 of her 27 seasons. However, for the most recent season, which aired from January to February of 2025, Burrell stepped away from the show, and Antonia Lofaso took the reins for the Blue Team. Burrell kept things vague when Spelling asked about a possible Worst Cooks return in the future, noting that she was exploring new possibilities. 'I've got a few other things that I'm working on as well, which I'm not quite ready to share yet," she said. "Hopefully, exciting things [are] coming.' On the podcast, Burrell also opened up about meeting husband Stuart Claxton on Bumble after deciding to finally try out dating apps in her late 40s. "From when I was a kid, I don't know why, but I always was like, I am not getting married until I feel like I have something in life to share — until I have accomplished stuff," she said of finding love later in life. In her 20s and 30s, she said, "I was living my best life! I was like, living the rock star chef life. I was working a lot, and I had a great social life. But I just started to feel like, all right, you're getting a little old to keep on doing this." She and Claxton tied the knot on Oct. 16, 2021, and she became a stepmother to his 22-year-old son, Javier. "Kids were never on my radar, really," the chef admitted. "I love being an aunt. I have nieces and nephews. So I'm like, [being a stepmom] is the perfect amount of parenting for me." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Burrell died on the morning of Tuesday, June 17, at her home in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was 55. She is survived by Claxton and Javier, as well as her mother, Marlene, and sister, Jane, plus Jane's children Isabella, Amelia and Nicolas and her brother, Ben. "Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered," her family said in a statement. "Anne's light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal." Read the original article on People
